Levi f



(No Model.)

L; F. OAHN.

- SNAPPORV NECK CHAIN. 1 Patented Apr. 10,1883.

ITNESSES: I "Q I VINVENTOR 7; v 5 .[ezrz'fda/Ln BY flmw/fi Y I ATTORNEYS,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEVI F. GAHN, OF NEW YORK,-N. Y.

SNAP FOR NECK-CHAINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 275,584, dated April. 10, 1883.

Application filed February 17, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEVI F. OAHN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Snaps for Neck-Chains, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to clasps or fastenings for neck-chains or necklaces, and especially such clasps which comprise two spring catch-bolts for engaging with snap attachments on the ends of the chain. Prior to my invention these bolts have been arranged at the opposite ends of a brooch or other ornament, and provided with knobs or finger-buttons at the outer extremities; but this arrangement is'objectionable because of the facility with which the chain can be released and stolen, due to the positions of the bolts, it being only necessary to pull either of the knobs for disconnecting oncend of the chain.

The object of my inventionis to overcome this objection; and to this end it consists, essentiall y, in arranging the bolts to be operated only from the back of the ornament, so that they are inaccessible to a thief, as hereinafter more fully set forth. 7 This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 2 is a rear view. Fig. 3 is a plan or top view.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

Theletter A designates a brooch or breastpin, to the back of which is attached a case, B, of rectangular or other proper shape, having arranged in it two bolts, 0, which are subjected to the action of a spring, D, having a tendency to force the same outward toward the ends of the case. The outer ends of the bolts 0 are shaped to form catches O,'of hook form, whereby they are adapted to engage with snap-hooks E, which, when applied to use, are attached to the ends of the chain, so that the chain may be thereby connected to the brooch. Said snap-hooks E enter the case B, to engage the bolts, through openings f, formed in the top of the case at its opposite ends.

In the back of the case B are formed longitudinal slots 9, which are substantially aligned, and into which are fitted, by means of their shanks, the knobs or finger-buttons O of the bolts, so that by taking hold of and sliding the knobs in the proper directions the bolts may be thereby retracted against the action of the spring D for releasing the chain. The knobs O are thus brought on'the back of the case B- and of the ornament to which it is attached, and the bolts being thus capable of operation only from that direction they are practically inaccessible to a thief when the chain is on the neck. The spring D is arranged between the inner ends of the bolts 0, so that it is common to both, and the case B is provided with a stop, '5, in form of a lug, at or near the center, for determining the inward movement of the bolts.

The brooch A, or its substitute, is provided with a plain rear surface, and the case B is left open on the side which faces the brooch, so.

that the latter forms one side of the case.

For the purpose ofattaching the caseB to the ornament A, the latter is provided at one end with a socket, k, into which the proper end of the case is inserted, and further provided with g a rim, 1, through which a screw, 0, is driven into the other end of the case, both the socket and rim having openings which register with the case-openings f,.so that by simply withdrawing the screw the case can be removed. This feature of making the case removable is Very important, because it the bolts or the spring should get out of order the necessary repairs can be made without difficultyas by any ordinary watch-makerthe body of the ornament remaining intact; and it may be remarked that the desired attachment can be eiiected' also in other ways, which will readily suggest themselves to a skilled mechanic.

When the ornament A'is a brooch or breastpin, its attaching-pin s is hinged to the socket k, and the pin-point protector s is fastened to the case B at the proper place.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A clasp or fastening for neck-chains, consisting of the brooch or other ornament, the attached case on the back of the ornament having openings in the top, at both ends, and iongitudinal slots in the rear side, the spring catch-bolts arranged in the case, and the knobs or finger-buttons of the bolts fitted into the case-slots to slide therein,for retracting the bolts, in combination with snap-hooks, for attachment to the ends of the chain, adapted to enter the case through its top openings and engage the bolts, substantially as described.

2. A clasp or fastening for neck-chains, consisting of the brooch or other ornament, the ease removably attached to the back of the ornament, such case having openings in the top, at both ends, and longitudinal slots in the rear side, the spring cateh'bolts arranged in the case, and the knobs or finger-buttons of the bolts, fitted into the ease-slots to slide therein,

for retracting the bolts, in combination with snap-hooks, for attachment to the ends of the 5 chain, adapted to enter the case through its top openings and engage the bolts, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two sub- 20 scribing witnesses.

LEVI F. GAHN. [11. s]

\Vitnesses:

W. HAUFF, CHAs. WAHLERS. 

